MATCH PREVIEW: CanMNT look to bounce back in ‘challenge we’re excited about’ vs. formidable Colombia

Canadian men’s national team head coach Jesse Marsch and his players will need more than a cup of coffee to match Los Cafeteros’ tempo on Tuesday night in New Jersey. But Colombia is a test they’re looking forward to as they continue to prepare and measure themselves ahead of hosting the World Cup.

“It’s a big challenge, it’s a great team, with recent results that are very strong,” CanMNT midfielder Jonathan Osorio told media on Monday. “But a challenge that we’re excited about and really up for.”

Colombia, led by one of football’s most highly regarded managers in Néstor Lorenzo, arrives at Sports Illustrated Stadium in New Jersey in imperious form, having exposed a strong Mexican squad 4-0 on Sunday. They have scored 13 goals across their last three appearances and are undefeated in their last six, looking every bit as poised as their No. 13 FIFA World Rankings suggest. Their roster — captained by legendary Colombian pivot James Rodríguez — isn’t short of quality, with players like Sporting CP striker Luis Suárez, Bayern Munich winger Luis Díaz and Crystal Palace midfielder Jefferson Lerma featuring in their starting XI versus Mexico.

Some might shy away from such an opponent but Marsch said he’s glad for the opportunity. He added facing quality opposition is an important part of fostering the expectations that Canada can compete — and aim to win — playing against some of the beautiful game’s best.

“I talked yesterday about when we had the opportunity to play Colombia, I jumped on it immediately because I just know, between the way they play, the types of players they have, the success they’ve had in recent years, the mentality that they’ll bring, all of these things will feel like what a high level opponent at the World Cup will feel like,” Marsch explained.

“I think it’s a privilege for us to play against them. We’re not just treating it as an experience, we’re treating it as a game we want to go out and win and that’ll be our focus.”

Canada enters Tuesday’s match following a disappointing 1-0 loss to Australia in Montréal. It’s not that Marsch’ side didn’t have opportunities at Stade Saputo, dominating possession and sending 17 attempts towards goal, but they were far and few between as they struggled to break down a stifling low block.  The match was ultimately decided by a poor touch from Niko Sigur, who was stripped in his own box for the contest’s lone goal, but lost by an inability to finish.

But just like a flat white is different from a cappuccino, no two football squads are the same with Colombia lining up very differently than Australia. Where the Socceroos were content without the ball, Colombia covets it. Lorenzo’s squad will look to play on the front foot with a much livelier brand of football than Canada faced Friday, with the South American side averaging nearly 60 per cent possession last year. Their 4-2-3-1 formation has also been very good at shutting down opponents; they typically allow just 10 shots per match.

Again, the variety of opponents is something Marsch aimed for.

“We talked about this window in general, the level of opponent, the two different styles of play, being able to adapt quickly from one opponent to the next and still being able to play the way we want,” he said. 

Given Colombia’s desire to be on the ball, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Canada adapt a more counter-attacking style, with a reliance on their wing-play, on Tuesday night. Assuming Canada again lines up in their 4-4-2 formation, it’ll be very similar to how they lined up during their thrilling Copa América run.

Marsch also confirmed on Monday that he’d rotate slightly as Dayne St. Clair, Stephen Eustáquio and Tani Oluwaseyi slot into the starting XI. It remains to be seen who’ll come out up front but there were questions about Cycle Larin’s effectiveness following a quiet outing last week. Deciding who best complements Jonathan David as part of a striker partnership continues to be one of the most pressing questions alongside Canada’s starting ‘keeper in 10 months time. But make no mistake: Marsch isn’t counting anyone out, showing a loyalty to players even during difficult stretches, most recently exemplified by Ismaël Koné, who has risen from his nightmare in Marseille to return as a key player for Canada.

St. Clair or Maxime Crépeau, he said, is one of the questions he has yet to answer.

“One of the toughest things that I think about in this role is trying to make a decision on which of those guys is going to be our starting goalkeeper in the World Cup,” he said. “In the end, I don’t think I can make a wrong decision.”

A result against Colombia could be the espresso shot Canada needs following an anticlimactic loss in Montréal. Importantly, they’ll have to make the most of their chances to continue to build momentum to 2026. And it could go a long way in answering some of the starter questions that remain less than a year out. 

PROJECTED LINEUPS

Canada: St. Clair; Sigur, Waterman, Cornelius, Laryea; Buchanan, Koné, Eustáquio, Ahmed; Oluwaseyi, J. David 

Colombia: Ospina; Angulo, Lucumi, Ditta, Muñoz ;Castaño, Lerma; Díaz , Rodríguez, Serna; Suárez

ALL-TIME SERIES

Canada wins: 1 | Colombia wins: 2 | Draws: 0

Last meeting: Oct. 14, 2014 – Canada 0-1 Colombia